Need advice. New home, need tractor

[hob684]

Good day everyone, I recently purchased a new home and I'm looking for a new/used tractor to help maintain it. The property is just under 1.5 ac, has 2 50-75yd crushed coral/gravel driveways. The main purpose for the tractor will be mowing and hauling the trashcans to the road, but I would like to be able to add a box blade or pusher blade to scrape up the gravel as the wife despises the 2nd drive. Occasional use would be to add a tiller for a garden, which will eventually go where the 2nd driveway is.

I'm looking for advice on the size tractor that could achieve these goals. I'm open to purchasing new, but would prefer used as I work on all my own stuff.

She wants to see me on something green but I'm open to others. I've looked at the JD x300 and x500 series at our local dealer (5 mi away), but I don't want to get something that is overpowered (aka over priced) for my needs, nor do I want to get something too weak and constantly break it.

I've grown up on a MF 135 for heavy work and a Lowe's special for the lawn when I lived in MS. Now I want a decent "middle road" that can handle the chores I've listed above without going over $7k. I've been out of 'tractor life' for awhile as I used to rent a small lot that I managed with a push-mower.

thoughts?


Thanks in advance.

 

[Diggin It]

The X-300 is a lawn cutter that will pull a cart or small trailer. Nothing more. NO ground engagement at all. There are some upgraded versions in the X3## series that might be better. The X500 and X700 might be better choices.

Simplicity has a few similar 'garden tractor' level machines as does Cub. Husqy has some but there have been complaints about longevity.


The next level is the SCUT (like my MT125) which is probably more than you need.

 

[kneedeep]

Mahindra Max

 

[fried1765]

Good day everyone, I recently purchased a new home and I'm looking for a new/used tractor to help maintain it. The property is just under 1.5 ac, has 2 50-75yd crushed coral/gravel driveways. The main purpose for the tractor will be mowing and hauling the trashcans to the road, but I would like to be able to add a box blade or pusher blade to scrape up the gravel as the wife despises the 2nd drive. Occasional use would be to add a tiller for a garden, which will eventually go where the 2nd driveway is.

I'm looking for advice on the size tractor that could achieve these goals. I'm open to purchasing new, but would prefer used as I work on all my own stuff.

She wants to see me on something green but I'm open to others. I've looked at the JD x300 and x500 series at our local dealer (5 mi away), but I don't want to get something that is overpowered (aka over priced) for my needs, nor do I want to get something too weak and constantly break it.

I've grown up on a MF 135 for heavy work and a Lowe's special for the lawn when I lived in MS. Now I want a decent "middle road" that can handle the chores I've listed above without going over $7k. I've been out of 'tractor life' for awhile as I used to rent a small lot that I managed with a push-mower.

thoughts?


Thanks in advance.

You don't mention if you want a loader.
Even if you do not, it will be tough to find something used for 7K, unless it has been beaten to a pulp.

My thought is that you should take a short drive to to your West to your nearest Rural King store (Lake Wales, Fl.), and look at their RK19 tractor.
RK tractors are built in Korea by TYM for RK, and are without question the BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK in the marketplace.
TYM has been building tractors for MANY years, and is well respected.
The RK19 is a 19HP diesel 4 wheel drive tractor.
With the 48" mower it is $10,200, and....... it is a NEW machine.

Take your wife along for the ride, and look at their full line of RK tractors!
I am quite certain that she will like the RK tractors (I own other tractors, but not RK).
If you want a loader for the RK19 it will cost you $2,000 more.

For future TILLER USE, you might instead consider the RK24 with 24HP.
Also: my personal opinion is ...... NEVER buy ANY tractor without a loader!!
Not knowing how old you are: An RK tractor should last 40+ years.
Buy a tractor BIG enough, so that you do not find yourself later buying ANOTHER tractor!

I am just across the state from you near Bradenton, but my tractors are in New England.

 

[Diggin It]

Mahindra Max

RK19 tractor.

Aka SCUT = Too big.

 

[jeff9366]

I recently purchased a new home. I'm looking for a new/used tractor to help maintain it. The property is just under 1.5 ac, has 2 50-75yd crushed coral/gravel driveways. The two purposes for the tractor will be mowing and hauling trashcans to the road. I would like to be able to add a box blade or pusher blade to scrape up the gravel as the wife despises the 2nd drive. Occasional use would be to add a tiller for a garden, which will eventually go where the 2nd driveway is.

I'm looking for advice on the size tractor that could achieve these goals. I'm open to purchasing new, but would prefer used as I work on all my own stuff. Now I want a decent "middle road" that can handle the chores I've listed above without going over $7k.

Some brand of SUBCOMPACT TRACTOR should suit your purposes.
Include a Loader for yard work on 1-1/2 acres. A Loader makes your subcompact tractor into a powered wheelbarrow. I speculate you are a senior. Your back will thank you. It is HOT in Palm Beach County.

A 23-horsepower to 26-horsepower Subcompact Tractor (SCUT) will power a 48" tiller and pull a low capacity 48" box blade fine.

I do not believe $7,000 is a reasonable budget in Palm Beach County for a tractor + mower or tractor + mower + Loader.

VIDEOS: subcompact tractor mowing lawn - YouTube
Comparing Finish Mowers (midmount VS 3-point) - Kubota B261 - YouTube
KUBOTA BX - YouTube


MOVING TRASH CANS: tractor trash cans site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[kenmbz]

Please look at a few SCUTs and then look at a few lawn tractors. I have 2 old simpicities I have not been able to kill, but new ones may not live up to this expectation. Since price range is $7000 you could look at larger lawn tractors. They took care of most of my needs until I had to move tons of rock, dozens of falling tress and remove stumps.
I knew this when I went shopping for my GC (SCUT), I have a little over 6 acres and anything larger would not work for me.
So bring your list of tasks as a check against what each size device can do. Think about how long it would take vs. how much time you can spend on tasks.
And where you will store the attachments etc.

For my lawn tractors I have a small dethatcher/rake, a lawnmower deck and an aerator. I also use it to pull around my Chipper.
The SCUT moves dirt, rocks, clearing land taken over by bushes, is my tree holder/mover for using the chain saw. removing the multitude of tree stumps left behind over the years etc. running trenches/swales etc.

Lawn Tractor is simple to maintain and cheaper than a SCUT too (did a head gasket on my "spare" LT for about 20 bucks).
Good luck in your decision. Lot;s of great information here, good luck choosing

 

[fried1765]

Aka SCUT = Too big.

The OP states that he will likely eventually use a tiller.
What tractor would you suggest that is smaller than a SCUT but will run a (4'?) tiller?
Rule of thumb is FIVE PTO HP per foot of tiller width.

 

[airbiscuit]

This

 

[rScotty]

Good day everyone,

I'm looking for advice on the size tractor that could achieve these goals. I'm open to purchasing new, but would prefer used as I work on all my own stuff.

She wants to see me on something green but I'm open to others. I've looked at the JD x300 and x500 series at our local dealer (5 mi away), but I don't want to get something that is overpowered (aka over priced) for my needs, nor do I want to get something too weak and constantly break it.

I've grown up on a MF 135 for heavy work and a Lowe's special for the lawn when I lived in MS. Now I want a decent "middle road" that can handle the chores I've listed above without going over $7k. I've been out of 'tractor life' for awhile as I used to rent a small lot that I managed with a push-mower.

thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

OK....$7K, green, used but high quality.... the sort of used machine you would be proud to have and to keep. I'd say you are looking for a nice used John Deere 850 with 4x4, a loader and a blade. That's about the right price, too. You should be able to find a nice 850 for that price, and they were popular model made to last a lifetime.
rScotty